 
Excerpts
from the
By working with volunteers from foreign countries, the Associação Comunitária Monte Azul tries to facilitate an exchange in experiences between the volunteers and the Brazilians they encounter. This exchange builds a bridge between the "first" and the "third" world. It signifies a balance between giving and taking which should always determine the relationship between the volunteers and their working environment. It is crucial that the volunteers make an effort to understand life in the favela as well as the goals of the Associação's work. It is not about merely plodding through a year of social work in an out of the ordinary location. Nor is it about viewing the work as a springboard for conquering Brazil. The Association would like the volunteers to occupy themselves profoundly with their work. They should get to know the people around them and, ultimately, form a part of Monte Azul's social organism. In preparation for your stay here in Monte Azul, we recommend that you read Ute Craemer´s book "Favela Monte Azul". It is a comprehensive presentation of life in the favela, also from the view of the favela inhabitants themselves. It can be downloaded from the site www.threefolding.freeuk.com/favela.htm. If you read this you will develop a better understanding for the ideas and work of the Associação Comunitária Monte Azul.
The Language To even have a chance to exchange experiences with the people here, an understanding of the spoken language is an obvious requirement. Again and again, new volunteers arrive here with virtually no language skills. It is probably best if you understand that you are doing yourself the biggest favor by studying some Portuguese prior to departure. Of course anyone who spends a year here will end up speaking more or less fluent Portuguese. But the initial stage is made decidedly easier by some prior knowledge, saving you a lot of energy and frustration. (…)
Work Areas of the Volunteers The Associação works in three different favelas: Favela Monte Azul, the neighboring Favela Peinha, and the "Chácara" in Horizonte Azul, an area on the outskirts of São Paulo (about an hour's bus ride from Monte Azul). The Chácara is a small complex consisting of a few buildings in which the same activities are conducted as in Monte Azul and the Peinha. In all three favelas, the Associação's facilities are scattered throughout the favela. Monte Azul's "Cultural Center", a building complex that lies a bit outside the favela, forms the "heart" of the Associação. The majority of the Associação's work is pedagogical. That means that there are numerous educational and day-care facilities in all three favelas. These tend to form the core of the volunteers' work too. The Associação offers child care for every age group: day-care for babies and infants; day-care and kinder gardens for children up to five years of age; preschools in which children are prepared for school for one year; and so-called CJ's (Centro da Juventude), where children from seven to 14 years of age are cared for during their time outside of school. The Associação also maintains several workshops in which adolescents up to 18 years of age can study various handicraft activities. Next to the bakery and tailor there is a wood, paper-recycling, and furniture restoration workshop. Adolescents additionally receive general education and (EDV) courses. Another area is the work with the mentally disabled. In the "Centro Terapêutico", small groups of children and adolescents are educated, and in the afternoons older groups work in the various workshops (wood, jewelry, and knitting). Aside from these there are many other work areas. They do not belong to the central work of the Associação but are still important: In the kitchens there is a lot to be done, which is why almost every volunteer works in the communal kitchen once a week. Some volunteers also work regularly in the offices of the Associação, where there is usually something to be typed, translated etc. The volunteers who work at the Chácara in Horizonte Azul generally help once a week in the Associação's large fruit and vegetable garden. There is also a recycling workshop there where some volunteers help sort trash. Oftentimes volunteers conduct completely independent work as well, giving classes in music, art, and language (English/German), usually in the evenings. The Associação is especially thankful when a volunteer can play an instrument and is willing to give lessons. Even though there is work here from time to time that no one likes to do (kitchen/trash), we try to place the volunteers in work areas that best correspond to their interests and abilities. For this purpose we have a commission, whose members are also always willing to listen to the wishes and worries of the volunteers. The volunteers work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is no work on the weekends. In all these areas the volunteers work as support for the official employees. In the beginning, it is more likely that you will be asked to do necessary work, lending a hand here and there. Almost all volunteers take a more active role after some time though, taking over some lessons in the workshops or organizing some sports and circus groups in the CJ, for example. This of course depends on the individual abilities and the personal initiative of each volunteer. This means that it is mainly up to you to make the best of your year here. This is why it would help you to reflect on the things you especially want to do prior to your trip. Thereby you can decide what you would like to contribute here and can make the necessary preparations. It would be good if you could bring the necessary tools with you directly, meaning for example juggler's toys for someone who would like to offer a corresponding course. You can also ask the Associação beforehand if the "equipment" for your initiative is already present. You should be aware that in the beginning you must have patience. It takes time to gain a deeper insight into life here. So ask questions, listen, and take in things and people without forming a premature judgment. Everyone should respectfully seek their place in the existing structure, finding a niche that enables them to realize their abilities.
Rooming Most volunteers live in the volunteer house (casa dos colaboradores), which is a five-minute walk from the favela in the Monte Azul neighborhood. Usually about six to eight volunteers live there, often two to a room. When there are more volunteers in Monte Azul, there are also rooming possibilities at other Associação residences. Whoever comes only for a short internship is, generally, put up at the private home of an ACOMA employee. This gives him a chance to dive deeper into the culture, living conditions, etc. here. If you are working at the Chácara in Horizonte Azul, you live in the volunteer house there. Usually three to five volunteers stay there at a time. The volunteers generally have a higher living standard than the favela inhabitants. But at the same time they aren't surrounded by the comfort and luxury that is taken for granted back home.
Food Besides a place to stay, the Associação naturally also provides you with food. A warm lunch will be ready in the location where you are working. To account for breakfast and dinner, a box of fruits is delivered weekly as well as food items ordered in advance such as flour, beans, noodles, oats, milk, eggs, coffee etc. Bread can be picked up daily at our padaria (bakery) free of charge. Besides this one can order items such as: clothes lines, clothes hangers, laundry detergent, hygienic cleaning materials of all kinds, tooth brushes and tooth paste. Even though the volunteers receive all basic food items from the Associação, it does occur once in a while that we have to buy something additionally. This is either because we run out of something in the two-week span between deliveries or because we want to eat things that aren't delivered; such as cold cuts, cheese, yogurt, fresh bread on Sundays, etc. Drugs, Alcohol, and Crime São Paulo is a mega city whose size and population continue to grow, also in the city's favelas. Reports that crime has increased in the past years must be seen as relative, though. In Monte Azul crime is astoundingly low, in fact hardly existent. Yet let it still be said that you come on your own terms. All volunteers must refrain from drug use during their stay, since the drug abuse among adolescents in the favela is a big problem and can lead to unforeseeable difficulties when volunteers become connected with it. Refraining from excessive alcohol use at parties etc. is also valued.
Structuring of Free Time, Vacation, and Weekend Trips São Paulo is a cosmopolitan city and offers a lot of interesting aspects. But also outside of the city there are great opportunities to experience more of Brazil: beaches, the Mata Atlantica (Rainforest areas), mountains etc. Also activities in connection with the Associação can be organized. The Centro Cultural of the Associação offers a comprehensive range of cultural activities such as choir, theater, orchestra, excursions etc. You can of course also go on bigger trips over time, as each volunteer is given six weeks of vacation during his stay. Be aware of the fact that a few months of getting used to things are needed before making a big trip… (…)
Note: The complete Volu-Letter with all current information will be distributed to all registered volunteers.
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